A four-member delegation from India that arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday to officially invite Nepal for the games, handed over the official invitation to Minister for Youth and Sports Satya Narayan Mandal.
Vincent H Pala, a member of India's parliament, said that team is on a visit to all the participating nations of the SAG to ensure participation in big number.
"We are here to disseminate the message of the event as well as about the preparations and arrangements done by the organizing committee," said Pala, adding that the security arrangement was a high priority for the host.
Similarly, R K Sharma, the chief executive officer of the organizing committee, while replying to a question about the delay in hosting the biennial games pointed out that the event was delayed not because of India but it was the turn of some other members to organize the event and India voluntarily took up the mantle.
The last edition of SAG was held in Bangladesh in 2010.
Mohammad Mushtaque Ahmad, a member of Indian Olympic Association and Arun Kumar Singh, under secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports of India were the other members of the team.
Meanwhile, National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Keshab Kumar Bista assured of Nepal's participation in the event despite budget crunch and unofficial blockade by host India.
"Our participation is not just for the sake of medal but also for brotherhood and unity between the participating nations. We also believe that our participation could contribute in lifting the blockade imposed by India."
Host India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will take part in the SAG.
According to Indian delegates, 1505 men and 1167 women athletes will take part in the event that features 23 disciplines for both men and women. Host India, Nepal and Sri Lanka are the only countries to compete in all disciplines.
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